Melksham Town Council has agreed to review its policy on commemorating significant campaigns and anniversaries after it received criticism from residents that it did not acknowledge Armed Forces Day, which was in June.
At a recent Community Development Committee meeting, it was agreed for town council officers to create a calendar of significant occasions and awareness days, ensuring the appropriate flag could be raised on the town hall, or the facade of the building could be illuminated.
This decision comes after Cllr Adrienne Westbrook reported the town’s senior military figure, Major General Darren Crook, was ‘so disgruntled’ with the town council for its lack of acknowledgement of Armed Forces Day and will not be taking part in Melksham’s Remembrance Parade this year.
Darren, who will be taking part in the proceedings at the Cenotaph in London this year instead, said, “I was hugely disappointed to see the town council had failed to acknowledge Armed Forces Day, an important event designed to publicly recognise the contribution and selfless values of those who serve and who have served.”
“Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to celebrate the selfless service of the living: those who serve and who have served and so many have recently chosen to make Melksham their home. The town council should not need to be asked to fly the Armed Forces Day flag: it is clearly an important national day that celebrates the inclusion and importance of this community’s contribution, their values, and selfless service, putting others before self.”
At the community development committee meeting, Cllr Adrienne Westbrook said, “[Darren has been involved with Remembrance in Melksham] for as long as I can remember. I think [the flag was not flown because] we have no events coordinator and no deputy clerk. If we make sure that everything is on that list, which is a civic event, [then we won’t miss anything].”
Following the Community Development Committee’s discussion, Darren has said the town council ‘deserves credit’ for recognising the oversight and reviewing the policy. He said, “Melksham Town Council’s response has been humble and appropriate given the error.”